A SUMMER BREAK FOR PLANTS INDOOR FOLIAGE NEEDS FRESH AIR

Send winter-weary houseplants outside for the summer. It's not a scolding, but a chance for these tropical natives to bask in the hot, humid weather and to exchange brown-edged leaves for new greenery. You can expect your dusty home dwellers to be completely rejuvenated and ready for the move indoors by fall.

Foliage that is used to dark corners may be scorched during a venture outside. So find a shady area of the landscape for at least the beginning of this vacation. Even in the shade the light levels are much higher than in the home, and plants can begin new growth. Later, the higher-light lovers can be gradually positioned to capture some of the summer sun.

Most of the plants that spend winters inside can grow outside on a shaded patio, said Cecil Ward, owner of Wards Garden Center in Orlando. He said the ornamental figs, palms, philodendron, dieffenbachia, schefflera, spathiphyllum and dracaena are just a portion of the greenery that can be sent outdoors to give a tropical look for the summer. If you want to accent the patio, add colorful begonias, impatiens and coleus, he said. Also suitable as rejuvenation areas are screened porches, the shade of a tree or the north side of the home.

If your display area does receive some full sun, many of the indoor foliage plants can make the adjustment to the higher light levels. Ward said the pony tail, crown-of-thorns, areca palm, croton, bird of paradise, weeping fig and schefflera will survive in the sun over a hot summer season. Purchase plants that are adjusted to the full sun or, over a period of weeks, move your indoor plants from low light to filtered sun and then into the full sun areas, Ward said. This way, the foliage will make the transition without a burn.

Plants kept cooped up for the winter may need repotting for the summer. Ward knocks a plant out of its pot to check the root system. If it's crowded, the roots will wind around into a ball shaped just like the pot, he said. When they are just becoming pot-bound, it's time to transplant to a slightly larger container.

Drawing from his 30 years of garden-center experience and cultivation of more than 100 varieties of foliage plants, Ward formulates a loose potting soil for replanting. His standard homemade mix contains Florida peat, Canadian peat, sawdust, perlite and lime to adjust the acidity to a pH of 6.5. Taking a handful, he gives it a little squeeze just to make sure it's free from compaction. Another suitable mix that gardeners can easily formulate is a blend of equal parts peat moss and perlite, plus a tablespoon of dolomitic lime to each gallon of mix. Ward said these soil substitutes help prevent overwatering, which is a major home-grower problem.

Plants growing indoors may need water only once or twice a week, but when plants are moved outside, gardeners should expect the moisture needs to increase. Check the soil daily to determine moisture usage. A recovering plant may still need only occasional water, but as the foliage regrows and the root system expands, daily watering may be required. When the surface soil starts to feel dry to the touch, it's time to thoroughly soak the soil.

Plants growing under the near ideal conditions of the outdoors will also need an adjustment in the fertilizing schedule. Where once a month or every two months was adequate when the plant was inside, more frequent feeding should be considered. An every-two-week watering with a liquid houseplant product is usually ideal.

Vigorous new growth may need some redirection to produce the full, compact plants you remember. Ward suggested pruning the ends of vining plants to cause branching. Also, consider reshaping lopsided specimens so they regain the symmetrical growth. Ward advised not to toss the cut ends away; they may be used to start new specimens. Most root within six to eight weeks when stuck in vermiculite for the summer.

Will pests be a problem? You bet they will, Ward said. Many houseplants are loaded with pests after spending time in low light. Ward suggested that gardeners use systemic insecticidal granules to control the very common mealy bug and mite problems. Several brands are available that can be mixed into the surface soil and watered. With systemic products that are taken up through the roots, you may never have to spray, he said. If gardeners are looking for more conventional controls, he suggested malathion or Safer Agro Chem's Insecticidal Soap sprays. If only a few pests are spotted, just a wash with soapy water or a daub with rubbing alcohol might work.

Expect foliage with new luster and vigorous growth by fall. Before the plants can be returned indoors, they must be acclimated to the dimmer in-home light levels. A month or two before the move, begin relocating the plants to shadier areas of the landscape. Also, gradually reduce fertilization and watering to an indoor schedule.